Course Descriptions

Early Childhood and Elementary Education

Introduces students to the field of early education for children. Covers the history and roots, current issues and challenges in the field, and explores professional education and career directions for teachers of young children birth to eight years. Community observations in early childhood settings are required.
Course may include an online component. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores.

Provides an overview of child development from conception through eight years of age. The focus is on studying and observing the physical, cognitive, language, emotional, and social characteristics of the child during this period. Includes the CDA subject areas of child growth and development and observation. Child observations are required. Community observations in early childhood settings may be required. Course may include an online component. Equivalent to ECE125A, ECE125B, ECE125C. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and WR30 or WR90, (WR91 substitutes for both RD90 and WR90), or designated placement test scores.

Examines the basics of establishing a safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for young children. This course includes the CDA subject areas of safe, healthy, learning environment, physical, cognitive, and communication. Community observations in early childhood settings are required. Course may include an online component. Equivalent to ECE126A, ECE126B, ECE126C. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and WR30 or WR90, (WR91 substitutes for both RD90 and WR90), or designated placement test scores.

Examines the importance of encouraging creativity and promoting social and emotional development in young children. Explores appropriate guidance techniques. Includes the CDA subject areas of creative, self, social and guidance. Community observations in early childhood settings are required. Course may include an online component. Equivalent to ECE135A, ECE135B, ECE135C. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and WR30 or WR90, (WR91 substitutes for both RD90 and WR90), or designated placement test scores.

ECE1363 credits
Early Childhood Education: A Professional Overview - Register

Examines the importance of promoting family involvement, developing an effective early childhood classroom program based on the needs and interests of the children, and continuing professional growth. Covers the process of Child Development Associate (CDA) credentialing. Includes the CDA subject areas of families, program management, and professionalism. Community observations in early childhood settings are required. Course may include an online component. Equivalent to ECE136A, ECE136B, ECE136C. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and WR30 or WR90, (WR91 substitutes for both RD90 and WR90), or designated placement test scores.

Addresses positive ways to support children’s social-emotional development from birth to age eight by understanding children’s behavior. Focuses on adult-child and child-child interactions and relationships. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores; ECE161, ECE163, or ED165 or permission of instructor.

Focuses on understanding and implementing a developmental approach to providing creative experiences and opportunities for young children. The class will be taught with an active learning and cooperative education philosophy using group discussions and hands-on learning. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores; ECE125, ECE163 or ED165 recommended.

Surveys children’s literature for young children and emphasizes setting up environments and planning activities that support emerging language and literacy skills in young children. Covers the developmental continuum of language, reading, and writing skills. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores; ECE125, ECE161, and ECE163 or permission of instructor.

Explores child growth and development in detail from the prenatal period to age three, including elements of quality group care for infants and toddlers. Direct experience observing infants and toddlers in a group setting will be an important part of the course. Course may include an online component. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores.

Explores child growth and development in detail from three through eight years of age, including elements of quality programs for preschool and school-age children. Direct experience observing young children in a group setting will be an important part of the course. Course may include an online component. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores.

Explores developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) for children from birth through age 8. Examines appropriate physical environments, as well as practices and environments that promote positive development in all developmental domains. Community observations in early childhood settings are required. Course may include an online component. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores; ECE125, ECE161, ECE163, ED165, or permission of instructor.

Explores why play is a fundamentally important part of children’s development, the role of play in learning, and ways that adults can support and promote play. Course may include an online component. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores; ECE125, ECE163, ED165, or permission of instructor.

Covers planning curriculum themes by assessing children’s interests and needs. Includes ways to promote cognitive development by engaging children in units that are child-centered. Course may include an online component. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores; ECE161, ECE163, or ED165, or permission of instructor; ECE250 or ECE251 recommended.

Promotes understanding of the body of knowledge in the field of parenting education and skills in effective parenting education practices, both in group and home settings. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores.

Provides an understanding of the essential elements of health, safety, and nutrition for young children. Methods and materials for enhancing motor development will be examined. Course may include an online component. Course is equivalent to ECE243A / ECE243B / ECE2343C combined. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores; ECE161, ECE163, ED165, or permission of instructor.

Focuses on the use of observation as a tool for discovering children’s interests, assessing development and behavior, and planning responsive curriculum. Observations in community early childhood settings are required. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores; ECE161, ECE163 or ED165.

ECE2453 credits
Promoting Social/Emotional Development of Young Children - Register

Explores strategies to help children develop the social and emotional tools needed to manage their own behavior, exhibit more prosocial behavior, and master social skills. Addresses how to support children who have particular social needs such as shyness, aggressive behavior, and hearing or visual impairments. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores; ECE151; ECE161, ECE163, ED165, or permission of instructor.

Focuses on developing skills for establishing effective relationships, based on mutual respect, between early childhood professionals and families of the children with whom they are working. Course may include an online component. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores; ECE161, ECE163, ED165, or permission of instructor.

ECE2483 credits
Children with Disabilities and Their Families - Register

Explores ways teachers can facilitate the inclusion of young children with disabilities in a child care or classroom setting. Covers characteristics of disabilities, environmental and curricular adaptations, and instructional strategies for supporting learning. Impact of disability on families, working in partnership with parents, and participation on the IFSP/IEP team will also be addressed. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores; ECE161, ECE163, ED165, or permission of instructor.

Explores planning and evaluating physical and social environments for children birth to 3 years old. Includes room arrangement, appropriate equipment, outdoor areas, and creation of a nurturing environment. Course may include an online component. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores; ECE161 or permission of instructor. Offered infrequently.

Explores planning and evaluating physical and social environments for 3 to 8 year-old children. Includes room arrangement, appropriate equipment, outdoor areas, and creation of a nurturing environment. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores; ECE163 or permission of instructor.

Explores planning and evaluating physical and social environments for children in a multi-age family child care setting. Includes room arrangement, appropriate equipment, outdoor areas, and creation of a nurturing environment. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores, ECE161 and ECE163. Offered infrequently.

Designed for those working with preschool-aged and kindergarten children. Covers how to select, present, and evaluate materials and activities for 2½- to 6-year-old children. Course may include an online component. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores; ECE163 or permission of instructor.

Designed for those planning to work with infants and toddlers. Covers how to select, present, and evaluate materials and experiences for children birth to three years old. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores, and ECE161 or permission of instructor. Offered infrequently.

Designed for those planning to work with primary-age children. Covers how to select, present, and evaluate materials and activities for children six to eight years old. Emphasizes how to fulfill curriculum standards using developmentally appropriate teaching strategies. Course may include an online component. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores; ECE163, ED165, or permission of instructor. Offered winter term.

Explores the role of the early childhood home visitor in providing effective services to families with young children in the home setting. Focuses on understanding the parent-child relationship and attachment, stages of change, and the trauma response. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores; HS155 and HS158. Offered fall term.

Provides supervised teaching of children in a lab school or community setting, applying what has been learned through coursework and previous lab experiences. Course includes an online component. Criminal history check required as students will be in early childhood or elementary school settings. Prerequisite: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores, all required 100-level ECE courses, and ECE254, ECE255 or ECE256.

Provides supervised teaching of children in a lab school or community setting, applying what has been learned through coursework and previous lab experiences. Students will take on the role of a lead teacher for a portion of the experience. Course includes an online component. Criminal history check required as students will be in early childhood or elementary school settings. Prerequisite: ECE261.

Explores the stressful issues that impact the development of the whole child, including poverty, divorce, child abuse, death of family members, changes in family system, cultural differences, violence, chronic illnesses, substance abuse, and homelessness. Requires online course component. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores; ECE125, ECE161, ECE163, ED165, or permission of instructor.

Focuses on developmentally and linguistically appropriate practices for second language learners as well as developing a perspective of cultural competency. Enables students to develop basic vocabulary and learn cultural activities in Spanish to use with Spanish-speaking children and parents in a variety of educational situations. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores.

Explores the role of the adult in helping children accept and appreciate diversity and uphold values of equity, inclusion and social justice. Course may include an online component. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores; ECE161, ECE163, ED165, or permission of instructor.

Explores professional code of ethical conduct, aspects of leadership as an early childhood professional, and the development of a professional philosophy and portfolio. Provides the opportunity to engage professionally in a community project. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores; ECE100 or ED259 recommended.

Studies principles and practices in supervision and management of preschool and child care centers, including organization, budgeting, personnel records, relationships with community resources, regulatory agencies, and working with parents. Community observations in early childhood settings are required. Course may include an online component. Prerequisites: RD30 or RD90 and BT113 or WR115, or designated placement test scores. Offered infrequently.